From the August, 2007 issue of Stock Car Insider

Rained Out in Michigan!

Next stop on the Nextel Cup Schedule is Bristol Motor Speedway

Next week NASCAR heads to the fastest 1/2 mile track on the planet, Bristol Motor Speedway, for the Sharpie 500. Bristol has undergone a major overhaul since the last time NASCAR rolled to town.  The track has been completely redone to feature graduated banking in the turns (24 degrees at the bottom to 30 degrees at the top) and a larger pit road.  The modifications should allow for more side by side & exciting racing in Thunder Valley!

And the thunder will be rumbling in the valley Saturday night as 43 teams crowd the half-mile track where tempers are sure to flair! Check out if Tony Stewart can maintain his cool on a track that he has not faired well at. In 16 starts at Bristol, his average finish is 17th!.

Other drivers to note:

Greg Biffle - Average Finish 10th
Kevin Harvick - Average Finish 10th
Jeff Gordon - Average Finish 11th
Matt Kenseth - Average Finish 11th
Dale Earnhardt Jr - Average Finish 12th

Next Week's Schedule:
(all times EST)

Nextel Cup at Bristol Motor Speedway - ESPN
08/24/07 - 03:20pm Sharpie 500 Qualifying
08/24/07 - 06:15pm Sharpie 500 Practice
08/25/07 - 08:00pm Sharpie 500

Busch Series at Bristol Motor Speedway - ESPN2
08/24/07 - 10:15am Food City 250 Practice
08/24/07 - 04:35pm Food City 250 Qualifying
8/24/07 - 08:00pm Food City 50

Craftsman Truck Series at Bristol Motor Speedway - SPEED
08/22/07 - 12:00pm O'Reilly 200 Practice
08/22/07 - 04:05pm O'Reilly 200 Qualifying
8/22/07 - 08:00pm O'Reilly 200

Kevin Harvick is Happy No More!

All hell broke lose late in the Centurion at the Glen. On lap 75, Juan Pablo Montoya attempted to block Martin Truex Jr going into Turn 1 and caused a big wreck and even bigger fallout. Taken out in the wreck were drivers Kevin Harvick, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Jeff Burton. None of the drivers, as it turns out, were too happy about the outcome. But Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya decided to discuss the events in a more hostile, face-to-face tone. Later in the pits, when asked about what they discussed, Harvick said, "I talked about kicking his ass." This is the kind of passion and emotion that's been missing in the often bland and censor-happy world of NASCAR. A side effect to NASCAR's effort to make the sport family friendly and politically correct (which I applaud) is that the real and most gripping emotions of the drivers is squelched or hidden. All the way from the interviews off the track to the celebration in victory lane, driver's behavior and responses are scripted. However, there was no chance for NASCAR to script Harvick and Montoya's altercation on Sunday. The two almost squared off in a fight reminiscent of Cale Yarborough versus the Allison brothers. In the end, there was no bloodshed just two ultra competitive individuals exchanging words. And what great adult entertainment it made!  Shop for NASCAR merchandise Dale Earnhardt Jr is on the Outside Looking in! Dale Earnhardt Jr was hoping atleast catch if not beat Kurt Busch in yesterday's Centurion at the Glen. Going into yesterday's race, Kurt and his 7 point lead was all that stood between Jr and qualifying for the Chase. However, the vodoo gods of NASCAR thought otherwise. Bad luck caught up with NASCAR's most popular driver in the form of a blown engine valve. After running in the top 10 for much of the day, Earnhardt suffered engine problems only 26 laps from the end. As a result, Dale Earnhardt Jr now sits 14th in points and 100 points out of the 12th and final qualifying position for the Chase for the Championship. With only 4 races left to qualify for the Chase, the #8 team will need to find luck and make it their friend. There is no margin left for poor finishes.  Shop NASCAR merchandise Centurion at the Glen at Watkins Glen International Recap Who said road course races were boring?!?!?! Yesterday's Centurion at the Glen turned out to be one of the most exhilirating races in recent weeks. From Dale Earnhardt Jr blowing an engine and Jeff Gordon losing it going into Turn 1 while leading the race with 2 laps remaining, to the altercation between Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya fans were left thoroughly entertained! Perhaps one of the most exciting portions of the race was the last lap with the ever aggresive Carl Edwards challenging Tony Stewart for the win. So aggresive was Carl that he blasted through a turn and into the gravel stops. Fortunately for Carl, he carried enough momentum to get him past the gravel and still finish in the top ten. In the end, the race at the Glen had little impact on the points race, but it provided awesome entertainment for those of us watching at home. Other drivers to note: Points leader, Jeff Gordon, was about to capture his 5th win of the season when with 2 laps remaining, he lost control of his car going into Turn 1. In the end, Gordon finished in 9th place and still sits firmly atop the points standings. Jimmie Johnson turned in a queit and unexpected top 5 finish. Road courses don't rank high the reigning Nextel Cup champion's list of favorite tracks. However, Johnson raced converative and consistant enough to finish in 3rd and maintain his 7th place standing in the points. Tony Stewart must love the heat of summer. Perhaps because it goes hand-in-hand with his knickname, "Smoke". In the past 4 races, Stewart has rattled off 3 wins including a win in yesterday's Centurian at the Glen. Carl Edwards owes a lot of thanks to Boris Said. Several years ago, Jack Roush made a deal with Boris to supply him with cars for his own team in exchange for Boris mentoring the Roush drivers. It appears that Carl graduated the head of Boris' class. At the end of the race yesterday, Tony was having to fend off a hard-charging Edwards who finished in 8th after spinning out trying to catch Tony. Edwards moved up a spot in the points as a result, and now sits in 5th place.      See complete 2007 NASCAR Schedule